(Newark, DE 19713)The New Castle County Division of Police has issued a Gold Alert for 90-year-old Stanley Mathis, who has been reported missing.
Stanley was last seen at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in the 150 block of Bear Christiana Road. He was expected to return to his residence in the 900 block of Linfield Road in Newark, but has not been seen or heard from since.
Stanley is described as 5’10” tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray suit jacket and gray pants. He was last seen driving a black 2008 Cadillac CTS bearing Delaware registration 515538.
Despite extensive efforts by officers, Stanley has not been located, and there is increasing concern for his health and safety.
Anyone with information regarding Stanley’s whereabouts is urged to contact the New Castle County Division of Police at (302) 573-2800 or call 911 immediately.
Location: 1200 block of Kynlyn Drive, Wilmington, DE 19809
Community: Bellefonte
Investigation Details:
On April 16th, 1982, the 24-year-old victim, Delena “Dale” Gassaway, was discovered deceased from multiple stab wounds at his former girlfriend’s apartment in the Bellefonte community.
The victim, who lived in Chesapeake City, Maryland, was found partially clothed and covered in blood.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-395-8110 or email: Coldcase@Newcastlede.gov
The victims and families of our unsolved cases are not forgotten. Ongoing efforts by the New Castle County Division of Police and the Criminal Investigations Unit’s Cold Case Unit are being made to resolve each case. Additionally, if you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a violent crime or has lost a loved one to sudden death and needs assistance, the New Castle County Division of Police Victim Services Unit is available to offer you support and resources through (302)395-8000.
If you’d like to report information anonymously, Delaware Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization that offers cash rewards of up to $5,000 for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest. Be sure to retain your Tip ID and password to follow up, provide additional details, or claim a cash reward. Submit a tip by calling 1-800-TIP-3333, visiting www.delawarecrimestoppers.com, or using the P3 Tips mobile app.
(New Castle, DE 19720) On Friday, March 20, 2026, at approximately 12:07 a.m., officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the unit block of Blairville Road in the Blairville Court Townhouse community for a report of an attempted robbery that had just occurred.
Upon arrival, officers located multiple shell casings in the roadway, as well as several vehicles that had sustained gunfire damage.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit responded and assumed the investigation. Through investigative efforts, Detectives determined that a 15-year-old male from New Castle had been in contact with a victim regarding the sale of marijuana. During that communication, the 15-year-old, along with an 18-year-old male later identified as Jimmie French of New Castle and another unidentified male, approached the victim’s vehicle and attempted to rob them. As the victim fled the scene, shots were fired.
Detectives identified two suspects, who were subsequently located and taken into custody on Thursday, March 26, 2026. They were charged as follows:
15-year-old male
Three felony counts of Attempted Robbery First Degree
One felony count of Conspiracy Second Degree
The juvenile was arraigned by New Castle County Family Court and committed to a juvenile detention center after failing to post $62,000 secured bail.
Jimmie French
Three felony counts of Attempted Robbery First Degree
Three felony counts of Reckless Endangering First Degree
One felony count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
One felony count of Conspiracy Second Degree
French was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $56,500 cash bail.
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Detectives with the Violent Crimes & Interdiction Team, along with Delaware Probation and Parole officers, were in the area of Tremont Street in New Castle when they conducted a pedestrian stop on 18-year-old Jummah El of New Castle. Upon seeing the Detectives, El fled on foot but was quickly apprehended after a brief pursuit. During the foot pursuit, he discarded a loaded handgun, which was later recovered.
El was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters and charged with:
One felony count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
One felony count of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
One felony count of Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
One misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest
One violation of Pedestrian on Roadway Where Sidewalk Is Available
El was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $15,501 secured bail.
On April 16, 2026, Detectives continued their investigation and identified Jummah El as the third suspect in the March 20 incident. Because he was already in custody, he was additionally charged with:
Three felony counts of Attempted Robbery First Degree
Three felony counts of Reckless Endangering First Degree
One felony count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
One felony count of Conspiracy Second Degree
El remains held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on an additional $18,501 cash bail.
